Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for August-October 2009 was 3.5%, down further by 0.2 percentage point over the previous period (July-September). Year-on-year, the unemployment rate went up by 0.4 percentage point, moderating from the 0.6 percentage point increase in the previous period. Total labour force was 326,000 in August-October 2009, with number of both the employed and the unemployed decreasing by about 1,000 from the previous period to 315,000 and 11,000 respectively. Among the unemployed, 15.0% (1,700) were fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job, down by 2.6 percentage points over the previous period. Analyzed by industry, the unemployment situation improved in Hotels, Restaurants & Similar Activities and Wholesale & Retail Trade. The labour force participation rate for August-October 2009 (71.7%) fell by 0.3 percentage point from the previous period and 1.2 percentage points year-on-year. The underemployment rate was 1.9%, down by 0.1 percentage point over the preceding period, but up by 0.4 percentage point year-on-year.
